The European Union in Prophecy by Ellen White

The European Union in Prophecy
as if spellbound. The bread of life was broken to those starving souls. Christ was lifted
up before them as above popes, legates, emperors, and kings. Luther made no
reference to his own perilous position. He did not seek to make himself the object of
thought or sympathy. In the contemplation of Christ he had lost sight of self. He hid
behind the Man of Calvary, seeking only to present Jesus as the sinner's Redeemer.
As the Reformer proceeded on his journey, he was everywhere regarded with
great interest. An eager multitude thronged about him, and friendly voices warned
him of the purpose of the Romanists. "They will burn you," said some, "and reduce
your body to ashes, as they did with John Huss." Luther answered, "Though they
should kindle a fire all the way from Worms to Wittenberg, the flames of which
reached to heaven, I would walk through it in the name of the Lord; I would appear
before them; I would enter the jaws of this behemoth, and break his teeth, confessing
the Lord Jesus Christ."-- Ibid., b. 7, ch. 7.
The news of his approach to Worms created great commotion. His friends
trembled for his safety; his enemies feared for the success of their cause. Strenuous
efforts were made to dissuade him from entering the city. At the instigation of the
papists he was urged to repair to the castle of a friendly knight, where, it was declared,
all difficulties could be amicably adjusted. Friends endeavoured to excite his fears by
describing the dangers that threatened him. All their efforts failed. Luther, still
unshaken, declared: "Even should there be as many devils in Worms as tiles on the
housetops, still I would enter it."-- Ibid., b. 7, ch. 7. Upon his arrival at Worms, a vast
crowd flocked to the gates to welcome him. So great a concourse had not assembled to
greet the emperor himself. The excitement was intense, and from the midst of the
throng a shrill and plaintive voice chanted a funeral dirge as a warning to Luther of
the fate that awaited him. "God will be my defense," said he, as he alighted from his
carriage.
The papists had not believed that Luther would really venture to appear at
Worms, and his arrival filled them with consternation. The emperor immediately
summoned his councilors to consider what course should be pursued. One of the
bishops, a rigid papist, declared: "We have long consulted on this matter. Let your
imperial majesty get rid of this man at once. Did not Sigismund cause John Huss to
be burnt? We are not bound either to give or to observe the safe-conduct of a heretic."
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